I currently attend the Las Vegas campus of Arizona College of Nursing. One area for growth within the nursing profession is how we communicate with and advocate for patients and families who face developmental, cognitive, and social challenges, especially in busy clinical settings. When communication falls short, patients feel scared, families feel lost, and trust breaks down. I plan to help improve this by practicing patient centered care, speaking up for vulnerable patients, and making sure families feel included in every step of the plan. My drive to focus on this area comes from my own life. I am a mother to a four year old daughter on the autism spectrum, and I have learned how much calm communication and patience matter when a child is overwhelmed or confused. I have seen how small changes like explaining things slowly or giving families time to ask questions can completely change their experience. Those lessons shape how I approach my clinical days and the kind of nurse I want to become. I also grew up in foster care and aged out at eighteen, stepping into adulthood without much support. That part of my life made me strong but also made me deeply aware of how exposed people can feel when they are sick or unsure. Nurses were often the ones who made situations feel less frightening, and that is the role I hope to fill for others. As a future nurse, I will work to improve this area by using trauma informed care kind of like a forensic nurse, adjusting teaching to meet each patient’s needs, and working closely with the healthcare team. I plan to learn more about caring for patients with sensory needs, low health knowledge, or trouble speaking up for themselves. In clinical settings, I will advocate for safe transitions, speak up when something does not feel right, and make sure families understand what is happening before they leave. Outside the hospital, I hope to take part in community education and later mentor new nursing students so strong communication stays a priority in our field. I believe change starts with nurses who are willing to slow down, listen, and treat every person with respect. This scholarship would help me stay focused on school while continuing to grow as a future nurse. I am committed to doing well in my program and to serving patients with care and honesty. By building my career around advocacy and clear communication, I hope to strengthen an important area in nursing and improve the lives of the people I serve.

Aloha and Thank you for considering me. Service became part of who I am long before I ever stepped into a nursing classroom. I am a nursing student and the mother of an incredible four year old daughter on the autism spectrum, and both roles have taught me that true servitude means showing up consistently, listening deeply, and advocating even when your voice shakes. Becoming my daughter’s mom reshaped how I move through the world. Navigating therapy appointments, evaluations, and school systems opened my eyes to how overwhelming healthcare can feel for families who are already stretched thin. I learned patience in waiting rooms, courage in asking hard questions, and empathy for parents who are exhausted but determined. Those experiences did more than guide my career choice, they gave me a purpose. I want to be the nurse who sees the whole family, who slows down, explains, reassures, and never forgets that fear often walks into the hospital alongside the patient. My desire to serve others is also rooted in my own upbringing. I entered the foster care system in first grade and aged out at eighteen, stepping into adulthood without stability or a safety net. While those years forced me to grow up quickly, they also instilled in me a deep commitment to creating safety wherever I can. I know what it feels like to be vulnerable in systems you do not control, and that awareness drives how I treat people today, with dignity, patience, and respect. In my community, I try to live that mindset in simple but meaningful ways. After my daughter’s diagnosis, I quickly realized how confusing it can be for families to access services. Through local parent groups and informal networks, I share resources, explain processes that once overwhelmed me, and offer encouragement to parents who feel lost or defeated. Sometimes service looks like helping someone prepare questions for an appointment. Other times it is sitting beside a mother who just received difficult news and reminding her that she is not alone. These moments may seem small, but I have learned how powerful it is to be present for someone during their hardest seasons. As a nursing student, servitude guides how I approach clinical days as well. I make it a priority to connect with patients who seem anxious or unheard, to speak gently, to advocate when something does not feel right, and to treat every interaction as an opportunity to ease fear. Whether I am explaining a procedure, holding a hand, or checking back in simply because I said I would, I see these acts as the foundation of compassionate care. Returning to school later than most, with no prior healthcare experience, while balancing motherhood and financial responsibility has been challenging, but nursing is more than a career for me. It is a calling rooted in lived experience, resilience, and love. My daughter is my greatest motivation. Earning my degree is not only about personal success but about building a stable future for her and showing her what perseverance, service, and hope look like in action. I am a strong candidate for this scholarship because I do not take opportunity lightly. Every obstacle I have faced has strengthened my resolve to succeed and to transform my experiences into meaningful service for others. I carry my past with me, not as a burden, but as a reminder of why I serve and who I am determined to become.